Lamp-socket



(No Model) BQM.BRADP0RD. LAMP SOCKET Patented June 15, 1897.

WITJVE'SSES without removing the lamp.

STATES PATENT OFFICE,

DVIN MORSE BRADFORD, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

LAMP-SOCKET.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 584,321, dated June 15, 1897. Application ned November 19,1896. smalto. 612,740. (nomas.)

To @ZZ whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, EDWIN Monsn BRAD- FORD, a citizen of the United States, residing at Boston, in the county of Suffolk and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Lamp-Sockets; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and eXact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention has reference to a novel construction in a socket for incandescent electric lamps, the object being to provide a device whereby the current is automatically closed upon the withdrawal of the lamp from the socket or may be closed without such withdrawal.

` The invention consists in the features of construction hereinafter fully described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, Figure l is an end elevation of a socket constructed in accordance with this invention. Fig. 2 is aside elevation ofthe same with a portion of the socket-casing cut away.

This invention is designed for use in connection with electric lamps, wherein said lamps are placed in a continuous circuitM that is to say, that the circuit passes from one lamp to another and when the filament which protects the circuit is broken.

' This invention is designed to save time and trouble in finding and replacing a broken lamp.

It consists,'essentially, in a circuit-closing device in the socket of each lamp whereby the circuit can be thrown between the electrodes in the socket and therefore not through the lamp.

The invention is designed for use in connection with the class of lamps that screw into the socket or those that are held therein by spring-fingers, and in connection with the former or with both it may be useful to employ a finger-piece on the side of the socket, by means of which the circuit can be closed This is especiallyadvantageousin connection with lamps that are screwed into the socket.

Referring now to said drawings, l indicates the socket and connected with one of the electrodes. 2 indicates a spring nger or plate within the Vsocket and connected with the other of said electrodes. These parts are so constructed and arranged with relation to each other that when the lamp is out of the socket the spring-finger 2 is in contact with the rigid linger l, and therefore the circuit is closed. When, however, the lamp is in position within the socket, the end of the lamp comes in contact with the spring-finger, and therefore breaks the circuit and allows it to pass through the lamp. In this way it will be seen that when it is desired to find a broken lamp by removing each lamp in a circuit successively it can easily be located in an obvious manner.

In connection withlamps that screw into the socket it is found preferable to use a finger-piece on the end of the spring-finger and situated outside the socket-casing, whereby the said finger-piece can be pressed and thus throw the spring-finger into contact with the rigid finger, whereby the circuit can be cut from the lamp without removing said lamp.

It will be seen from the foregoing description that this construction can be quickly applied to sockets now in use, as it does not necessitate changing the same and can be easily arranged with small pieces of brass wire.

The device is economical not only structurally, but saves considerable time in locating a broken lamp.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, isum l. An electric-lamp socket provided with a rigid finger or plate connected with one of the electrodes thereof and extending transversely across the socket, and a spring finger or plate connected at one end with the other electrode.

and having its other end free, said spring 1inger or plate extending transversely across the lamp-socket and' adapted to be moved by the insertion of a lamp by reason of the contact of said lamp with the free end portion thereof, and said spring finger or plate resting normally in contact with said rigid finger or plate upon the withdrawal of the lamp.

2. An electric-lamp socket provided with a spring linger or plate connected with one of the electrodes and adapted to be moved by In testimony whereof I have signed i-his the insertion of an electric lamp, a iingerspecification in the presence oftwcsubscrib- 1o piece on said spring-finger on Iolie outside of ing` witnesses.

said casing, and a rigid finger or plete con- 1 nected Wit-h theother of said electrodes and EDWIN MORSE BRADFORD extending on both sides of said springdinger Vitnesses:

to be engaged thereby when said spring-firk ARTHUR HENRY SMITH,

ger is moved in either direction. T. J. BRADFORD. 

